Moving to or from South Carolina with TANF
Moving TO South Carolina
Family Independence (FI) (South Carolina's TANF program) does not accept transferred cases from other states: every new South Carolina resident applies fresh through South Carolina Department of Social Services. There is no waiting period tied to how recently you arrived — eligibility is decided on South Carolina's own income and household rules from the day you become a resident.
Leaving South Carolina
Leaving South Carolina ends your Family Independence (FI) (South Carolina's TANF program) case — no state will take it over. Close the case with South Carolina Department of Social Services effective your move month, then apply in your destination state immediately after arriving.
Official agency: South Carolina Department of Social Services ↗
South Carolina TANF at a glance
| Program name | Family Independence (FI) |
|---|---|
| Max monthly benefit (family of 3) | not published |
| Time limit | 60 months |
| Processing | Not published on accessible DSS pages. |
Common questions
Who runs TANF in South Carolina?
South Carolina Department of Social Services, which runs the program as Family Independence (FI). The official page and application link are cited below — always act through them.
Does South Carolina make new residents wait for TANF?
No state may impose a residency waiting period for TANF. You apply as soon as you live in South Carolina; eligibility is decided on South Carolina's own rules.
Where do I report that I'm leaving South Carolina?
Contact South Carolina Department of Social Services (official link below) to report the move and close your case effective your move month.
Every move involving South Carolina
From South Carolina to…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
To South Carolina from…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Official sources
Every fact above was checked against these official pages. Last verified.
- SC DSS — TANF — accessed 2026-08-08
- SC DSS — TANF FAQ — accessed 2026-08-08